RP: A War on Concordia

Thunk......thunk....thunk.....Tiberius batted at his face, something would not go away from it. His eyes opened, and his face was struck again by another grape. A grape? Why are grapes striking me? He looked around, to find the source, when another grape flew at him, this time getting in his mouth. He spat it out, then stood up, yawning. Another grape struck him.


"Okay, I'm awake, alright?!" He sort of shouted, not sure of where the grapes were even coming from, when he heard a noise behind him.


"Si, however, it is still divertido," Alejandro chuckled from behind him.


"Yeah, okay, who are you anyways?" Tiberius asked, still a little sleepy.


"Me, ah señor, not many here have asked such an importante question. I am Alejandro Cortez, a master in stealth, and with my swords. You had no idea where I was, yes? See, I am great in stealth," The man's accent highlighted certain words, though it was obvious he was very confident in his own abilities, maybe even overly so.


"Just because I couldn't tell where grapes were coming from does not make you a master in anything to me, if I live after today, I'd rather you prove it," And with that, Tiberius walked towards the food. His mind lifting up some of the food for him. He himself didn't even seem to notice it, only walking away to eat it himself.


~~


Some distance off, the two girls heard the sounds of an accent, familiar. They looked at each other, and then turned in the direction. There's no mistaking that voice.
 

~Shai-hulud, Cervi Camp~




​



Shai-hulud waited until Walter was out of range before turning to look at the now-standing Todd, who was rubbing the beaten areas of his face to either soothe the pain or check for any fractures. When he had Todd's attention, he crossed his arms and was prepared to begin, but the other man spoke first. "Alright, I really hope you're not about to punch me too." The statement made the Aasimar raise a golden eyebrow while Todd leaned against a tree, before spouting out a stream of questions; at one point, he even dared to call the former necromancer a racist about his lycanthropic condition. Instead of it soliciting anger, it instead caused Shai-hulud to grin with amusement as the man's tirade finally faded.


Uncrossing his arms, Shai-hulud laughed lightly. "You ask for who I am? Well...my name is Shai-hulud; former necromancer of Life City, and the man who kept you from tearing your friends to pieces." He spoke the words calmly, his expression suddenly becoming serious and cold. Leaning against a tree of his own, he closed his eyes and began again, his words no longer holding the amusement they had earlier. "This forest is our safe haven, for now; we've been fortunate enough to encounter a camp of Cervi who took us in last evening. You were a difficult werewolf to tranquilize, I will have you know...but the Cervi were able to make you into what seemed to be a trained puppy once we arrived. Your lady friend is fine, if a bit bruised...quite the mage, she is. As for my views on werewolves such as you, I do not hate you. I simply consider you creatures who suffer needlessly...alas, there is nothing I myself can do for your kind. However, I did happen to come across a pack of truly-sentient, fully-transformed werewolves a time ago...but that is another story."





Fixing his eyes on Todd, their violet gaze piercing into his being, he aimed his next question like a dagger for the man's heart. He knew it was harsh, but he had to do so; otherwise, the answer he needed would not be available to him. "We know that you made a deal with the Grand Marshall, Todd...and now we know what was on his side of the bargain, but what of yours? What was it that Irvine wanted you to do? Surely it involved something for his war machine, yes? It is important that you tell me, Todd...many lives are at stake here." Shai-hulud waited for Todd's response, keeping his arms crossed and his sight on the man. If the man were to tell the Aasimar a lie, he would be able to detect it immediately...he had been raised to see such signs since a small boy.





~Moonais, Death City~




​



The woman noticed the vampire's slight smile when entering, but decided not to take it as anything but a sign of welcome for her, and perhaps a way to comfort her despite the loss of her brother. The thought made her feel bitter inside, for such things would not be able to get her mind off of Marquis that easily. Standing near the bed, she watched the food be settled on the nightstand...the sight made her stomach grow slightly, but she ignored it; she would eat later. Sitting down on the bed, she listened to Bibentus' attempt to strike a conversation with her on almost-asking how she had slept. "No...sleep did not meet me this evening. I refused myself of it in the end, I suppose."





When the vampire lord took a step forward and began to close the distance, her amber eyes shifted toward him and eyed him with a dangerous light. Normally, people were careful when approaching a woman such as she...and with her brother gone, her natural suspicion was even stronger. However, her eyes softened a little but remained on the potentially dangerous creature before her. Moonais listened as he ingratiated himself to her, but her thoughts remained on one thing Bibentus had spoken; "You will be recognized as war heroes..." The statement made Moonais laugh in despair, as a couple of tears fell down her cheeks from a pent-up sadness and anger.





"...War heroes, or war criminals, my Lord?" Moonais spoke vehemently, gripping her robe tightly as her voice shook, and her mind drifted back to the previous day. "I...no, we, killed so many innocent people in that mission. My brother and I, we used magical explosives to draw attention away from Occulta...explosives in highly-populated areas to create more chaos. Dozens must have died from the first couple of thundercrystal bombs alone. I figured it was the only way to complete the mission and escape successfully." A realization hit her like a freight train, forcing another pained laugh to erupt from her as more tears streaked down. "...This must be the punishment the Angels chose to instill upon the both of us; to make me regret the cost of lives with the death of my own brother. They are cruel, my Angels...they spare no pity for a murderer such as myself. Marquis and I...we will not be remembered as heroes, Lord Bibentus. We will be remembered as creatures of shadow, who slaughtered innocent lives for a single man. That is how history will remember..."





~Marquis, Water City~




​



Marquis felt a sudden dampness on his cheeks as he was shuttled down to the City of Water, causing him to frown and feel his face with his unprotected left hand. Drawing his hand back, sure enough he saw the leftovers of tears on his skin. Where had it come from? Surely he wasn't weeping...what was there to be sorrowful about? Brushing the tears away before his escort could notice, Marquis waited patiently until they reached the entrance floor to the technological marvel that was Water City.


He observed the conformity that existed in the city as a whole; from a singular outfit style to the devices on their bodies, they are like an army of clones...ready to be unleashed upon an unwary foe. From civilian to soldier, Marquis saw a multitude of potential possibilities for the creatures of Water City. Indeed, if they were to unleash their numbers and powerful technology on the surface world above, they would be a force not to be reckoned with.


Turning to his escort after obtaining all the observation data he needed, he spoke clearly to the fishman. "You have quite the city here, Guardsman. Surely the other cities envy you for your fortune...but alas, I fear that I do not have much time to enjoy this fine underwater utopia. If you will please lead me to the man in charge of your operations...?"
 
~Jean Latvia; Water City~





Jean was actually surprised that she had been able to keep up a full sprint for this long, then again her body hadn't really been hers for some time. Running drew attention to her and she gathered many stares as she weaved her way through the citizens, but thankfully, hopefully due to the uniform, no one reached out and grabbed her.


She had been wriggling through people for quite sometime, and as she noticed more and more of the guards strolling around so she figured she was heading in the right direction. They were in a bubble, right? It'd make sense to keep your people around your entrance... it also made sense to keep people around your leader. Jean knew she was in for a hell of a ride if she waltzed right up to their leader, dressed like one of the guards with her obviously not human face. Irritation began to worm it's way into her sister, she was completely unprepared, with know idea how the hell she was going to get out of here, break the glass? Send all the fish people out to fight those weird ass looking sharks she saw occasionally? Where the hell were her clothes and what made them think she'd want this Star Trek catsuit looking thing?Where the hell was she? Atlantis? She was sure the inhabitants of Atlantis wouldn't smell like her high school locker room.


She slowed her sprint to a walk, letting a "tch" sounds escape her lips as she tried not to wince due to the burning of the muscles in her thigh and in her calves. Shifting so that she was more among the guards she kept a steady pace forward, mimicking their straight, military-laced, movements as she approached what... despite it's oddities, was no doubt an elevator. The elevator to the surface, her ticket out of here, she bit her tongue in anticipation before reality set in.


Oh shit... they're not gonna let me on there... There's no way I'm sneaking on that without starting a riot, what the hell is this, bro?





Then here eyes paused on a figure, another human, dressed strangely, as if he tumbled out of a Lord of the Rings movie, in direct contrast with the techy, Tron looking, fish faces. Bright red hair is what drew her eyes in on him, despite that oddity he seemed human, plus there was hair dye, right? Careful not to run over to him and risking her cover, and her dignity, she calmly stepped out of the guard's patrol shuffle and headed towards the man, who was currently in conversation with one of the guards.


"You have quite the city here, Guardsman. Surely the other cities envy you for your fortune...but alas, I fear that I do not have much time to enjoy this fine underwater utopia. If you will please lead me to the man in charge of your operations...?"


She paused, resisting the urge to squint at his strange diction, despite the face she was wearing a mask and approached him, clearing her throat to catch his attention.


"Hello there, sorry to interrupt whatever it is that you two are talking about, but I'd like to ask this red-haired...gentleman... uh err, question, if you have the time that is," she said.
 

~ Todd with Shai-Hulud, Cervi Camp ~




​



The man explained himself, answered all of Todd's questions. A former necromancer? And he showed emotion beyond "dull and lifeless"? Todd never realized that was even possible. This Shai-Hulud character showed sympathy for werewolves, which gave the guy a few points. Interestingly, he mentioned there being sentient werewolves. That was possible? That was actually possible in Concordia? Did that mean there was hope for him? He wouldn't have to worry about hurting anyone ever again! There were so many new questions that rose from this, but Todd knew he had to push them all down, save them for later. No more question vomit for him. He had to listen to this man and judge him for what he was.


He was happy about his previous mentioning that Chrysaorus was okay. The last thing he remembered was being in a room with her, seeing her look at him with panic and fear as he shifted into his wolf form. He was afraid he might have killed her. She helped him out. Todd was certain that tearing someone's throat out was the worst way to thank them. Or perhaps water-boarding them was. Either way, not a good thing, and he was glad she was alright.


Then the deal was mentioned. Right, that must have been what he wanted to talked to Todd about. Shai-Hulud asked him what it was Irvine wanted him to do, and then mentioned the "many lives at stake" like he was some sort of superhero. Yeah, right, like he could honestly give a rat's ass about the many innocent lives that could be wiped out. Those were Concordians. They weren't Earthlings. Todd couldn't sympathize. Really, though, it was that kind of thinking that got Walter furious with him back when they hadn't known each other that well.


"Chrysaorus and I were supposed to bring a man named 'Doctor Bubbles' back to Life City." Todd told Shai-Hulud, answering his question, "I have no idea what Irvine was planning to do with the guy. All I cared about was that he was going to bring two people that I loved back."


~ Bibentus With Moonais, Death City, The Tower ~




​



War heroes or war criminals. This is what Moonais had said, nay, asked Lord Bibentus before explaining to him that she and her brother had killed many, many "innocent" people in Life City. She began to cry, she spoke of "angels", who were punishing them. It appeared that the woman was hysterical from the guilt of what she's done. Bibentus put a hand on her shoulder.


"You are not a murderer and neither is your brother." Bibentus told the woman, "If they are pure, then our Great Father, Nurr-Dradus, shall liberate them -- They can then see the error of their ways. If they were not pure - And I am certain most of them were not - then you have rid the world of monsters." There was disdain in his voice. He despised the people of Life City. He hated anyone who would dare treat his citizens like garbage. Those in Life City deserved their fate. They all did.


"In the long run, you have helped in the ending of a terrible war. Every step to that is important, even the darker of those steps. Do not feel guilty for your actions, for they have helped in saving us. You have, in fact, helped serve the gods by doing this. All of them are smiling on you now, I'm sure."


He slid his hand off of her shoulder, backing a way a bit.


"I should let you eat your breakfast, shouldn't I? If you are interested, tonight, perhaps I could show you around the city? The beauty this place has to offer is certainly enough to distract from the war, I would think."


~ Soldiers with Marquis, Water City ~




​



Again, the guards looked at each other. This new guard looked off, though they couldn't quite piece together why. Of course, being a part of Water City, they all had the urge to find out why. It was a strong urge, one they needed to suppress so that they could do their job. The guard captain approached Jean, and through his tentacles, he spoke to her.


"Very well, I grant you permission to question this young envoy -- Though it shall be your job to take him to the council. It's about time for us to go on break anyway."


He then nodded to the other guards, who dispersed to get kelpshakes or a nice cup of seaweed tea.
 
Rol's palm slip up his face as he pressed back the hair that covered his forehead the wet tendrils of hair sleeked back as the the gentle taps of rain pelted his back and shoulders. His blue eyes flickered as the dark night sky lit up with a flash of white then succumbed back to the taint of darkness. The low neon glow on the slight slope of a rooftop merged and stained the blue tiles that created the surface. Rol breathed out a sigh as he viewed a heap of muscle mass only yards away the titan of a mans fangs bore his hair like a tiger standing on end. It was Rol's closest male friend he had ever made... Ben his partner his counterpart. The pure white light in the sky flashed again painting the area in a new found brightness. “Hah fitting for the final battle isn't it Ben?..” Rol's voice tapered out into the night sky as he talked to his old friend. A new found flow of tears streamed down Rol's face as his nostrils flared with moistness. The water from his eyes were heavier than any drop of rain as it forced his eyelids to float in a prison of purgatory becoming heavy but unable to close. All this... this day everything he had made for himself and cared for came to an end... His family he chose he created he loved vanished even though all sense of desire wanted him to hold onto it. The frail thread was slipping through Rol's hand as his body felt a somber heaviness. His muscles twitched with the cold as he firmly held his guitars neck firmly in hand... Rol's head gently reeled back as his eyes softly closed the temperance and taps of rain on his troubled head soothed his mired mind. A tile cracked in front of him as Ben took a step forward Rols head slowly moved down to face him his eyes opening slowly as the streaks of tears and rain filled his face in tiny streams of emotion and purity. “Ben please I don't want to fight you...” Ben took another step forward as another tile shattered in its frailty under Ben's fury. Ben's legs lowered down as the tiger had found its pray. With a sudden release Ben raced towards Rol in a bestial vigor the roofs floor splintering from the malice of his moves. “Don't make me DO THIS!” Rol cried out as his head jerked forward as the glassy pearls of water sprang from his face and falling to the below. Rol's feet slid on the tile as he planted himself and slowly slid his right hand further down the neck as the left made its way across the body to grab just below the head. The guitar that once felt lighter than a pencil now was weighed down with reluctance to cause harm... “Please...” Rol whispered to the rain as Ben charged closer and closer. Ben sprang from the ground as his body shot forward at Rol, Ben's fist coiled back ready to strike. Ben's white fangs pressed against each other as his eyes narrowed in on Rol with wrath and fury... Rol's face turned from Ben's glare of hate, as closing his eyes Rol slowly lifted the guitar to meet the attacker. Rol's chest instantly felt heavy as if an anvil had struck him. His eyes shot open as his mouth followed in tandem. Rol's body buckled forward as his chest was pressed back with a large fist compressing against it. A flurry of air shot from Rol's mouth as the tears on his face flew forward from the force of the strike, landing and staining Ben's extended arm. A wave of pressure exploded out of Rol's body as it continued to move in slow motion as Ben gave a grin and a growl to him. The force finally flowed through Rol's body as it shot him like a missile flying backwards. His back slamming against the ground as the tiles exploded in a violent fervor. As he rolled and tumbled onto the roof Rol's body slapped against the tiles as he finally slid to a stop. Rol's vision blurred slightly as his whole body screamed in pain. Rol slowly lifted his head as a sudden cough exploded from his mouth and to the ground next to him shot a splatter of blood. The rain slowly washing away the mix of bile and blood from the surface as if it never existed in the first place. Rol gave out a slight smile as his forearms planted against the slopped ground and lifted his heavy body from the roof his knees slowly sliding under him as he regained his composure. Rol shook his burdened head as the wet tips of hair flung the clear orbs all around. “No... this cant be happening.” Rol cried as He grabbed his guitar using it as an anchor to help his body up from the ground. “Ben... this a nightmare right? I'll wake up and everyone will be back... everyone will smile right?” Rol cried out to the man who stood a few yards away from the first impact. “They are dead Rol... You killed them.” Rol's eyes flashed open as they trembled and shook Rol's breathing became quick and without rhythm. “No! ITS NOT TRUE!” Rol shrieked as his guitar fell to the floor with a gentle twang. Rol's hands shot up to the sides his head as the fibers of his blue hair spread around his gripping hands. “Ben... I didn't kill anyone!” “All actions have a reaction... You know this better than most.” Ben straightened up as he cracked his neck. “I-I-I didn't mean for this to happen...” “But it did.” Ben said with a hurtful grin. Rol's tear filled eyes looked up to his friends eyes as his mind searched for an answer. “I didn't kill Madison, Ben.... you did!” Rol shot out as he swiped the air and rain in front of him with his hand. Ben took another soft step forward. As Rol continued... “She would have... No she did give everything to you her heart, her body, her soul, she loved you. AND you! Just couldn't just accept that.” “DO NOT SPEAK AS IF YOU KNOW WHAT I FELT! SHE LOVED YOU TOO AND YOU BETRAYED US ALL!” Ben roared as he stopped all signs of movement. “You took her life away, I didn't!” “And you TOOK MINE!” Rol felt the slings and arrows of Bens words as it cut deeply into the very fiber of his being. “I-I-I...” Rol stumbled with his words. “You took from me which I could never get back!” Ben cut off Rol's feeble attempts to muster his thoughts. Rol recoiled as the truth stabbed straight through him. “Why... couldn't you let that go... We had a new life together one which I gave everything for... One we were all happy with... weren't you happy Ben?” "No" Rol slowly raised his eyes to meet Ben's once more. “I even...” Rol gulped down the feeling of sickness as he put it into words the horrors he had done to protect what he once cherished. “I killed my sister... to save you...” Rol's endless tears continued to break his once happy exterior he was no longer protected by his air of innocence or his ignorance. “She was right though... we will never care about you like she did. You are-” “SHUT UP!” “A fool!” Rol dug his hands into his head harder as his body flailed about in pain. Each hit took a piece of his already fragile heart each word melting away his soul that made him, him. Rol quickly bent down and gripped the guitar tightly. Ben gave an evil grin “Oho. Would you kill me too now?” “STOP IT!” Rol roared as he sprinted forward the guitar jostling with each step in his firm grip. Ben slowly crouched and readied his stance ready for Rol. Rol sprinted forward the rivers of tears flying behind him as each step of his foot on the tiled roof let out a small clap as he went. The guitar howled as it moved from his side in a wide swing from right to left at Ben slicing and spattering the falling rain as it collided with the body of the guitar. Ben lowered his left shoulder and shot his right arm out at Rol his gauntlet shrieked as it cut through the air. The guitar smashed against Ben's extended arm as a giant burst and shock wave rippled out from the collision the steady flow of rain ceased around them for but a moment as the pressure flung the water away. The guitar recoiled slightly as Rol used the bottom of the guitars body jabbing it into Ben's muscular stomach. The flesh and muscles rippled from the force as it made a loud thunderous clap like the thunder around them. Ben did not remain idle to the hit as his left swung forward against the jaw line of Rol as the two were sent a few feet away from each other flying back onto the roof their backs plastered against the rain soaked surface their heads staring up into the night sky. Both their eyes fluttered with each gentle tap on their face. “Ben....” “Yeah?” “Am I the bad guy?” “yeah...” Rol let out a little whimper as their bodies both lay sprawled out on the surface. “Ben I'm scared...” Rol gently moaned in his new anguish... Ben slowly turned his head to look at the boy on the ground a few feet away from him. “Why is that?” “I'm scared that when I die... they won't be happy to see me.” The light taps against the tile of the roof was all that sounded after Rol spoke. The harmonious chaos of natures own tears pelting what man created. a small trickle of water fell from Ben's eyes as he could not reply to Rol as those words were of an inhuman magnitude that no man should hear. Rol's chest began to jerk slightly as he continued to whimper... Rol's hand slowly moved as it glided over the edges and divets of the tiles as it slowly made its way down to his pocket. His hand force his way into his wet sealed pocket. His shaking arm quaked and shook with emotion and chill from the rain. As it touched the hard corners of a thin slice of paper one corner sleek and smooth the other with an oily plastic texture. As he tugged on the corner he removed it. The small rectangle pressed against the wind and rain with its stubborn frigidness as Ben slowly closed his eyes at seeing the white backing of it. Rol trembling brought it to his vision as the rain drops pelted the back of it. The low whimpers and moans of Rol ceased as he stared in comfort. It was a picture of the 5 of them...





  • Ben and Madison sitting on a green painted bench Ben with a large smile on his face as his large hand was placed atop of Pervis's head who looked irritated by the gesture as he gazed up at Ben with an annoyed but childish gaze his arms crossed in extreme protest. Rol was behind the bench bent over above them his arm around Kisa's shoulder pressing her tight against his body. A large smile adorned his face as his other hand gently rested on madisons shoulder. Kisa had a slight blush to her cheeks as the pink color and light smile she held was offset by the gentle glow of her eyes as she was pressed against Rol. Madison... held a radiant light as her hand was up to her angelic mouth her thumb against her giggling lips as she smiled staring at Rol and Ben. Her warmth seeped through the picture as she was the very glue that held everything together.





“I'm sorry...” Rol whispered as his thumb and index finger slowly released the grip the picture fluttered as it stuck to its warm home for just a moment before the light breeze of the rain stole it away. The picture twirled and spun in the air as it trailed away from him...


Rol was quiet as he lay still............... His hand gently falling to his side...................


“Sorry... Looks like I'm the last Boss big guy...” Rol spoke finally as his body slowly lifted from the ground.


Ben's eyes slid open with a heavy burden. “Rol...” He whispered to himself as he watched the young boy pick himself off the roof. Ben followed suit as they now stood before each other. Rol held his guitar as he readied his stance with his new found conviction the Guitar's body held up in the air as the neck as the head of the guitar was held at his waist. Like Rol was holding a large sword of some kind. Ben moved into his stance his arms slightly out and fingers pointed like claws towards Rol a subtle bounce in his stance showed that Ben had a fighting rhythm. They surged forward at one another as Rol swung the large body of Ben shot to the ground as he ducked under the heavy swing as Rol's body continued the follow through. Ben shot up with his fist at Rols chest sliding past it as Rol spun to dodge it. Ben readied quickly again as his gauntlet hand quickly reloaded in its coil and fired again at Rol. Bringing the guitars body up to his chest Bens fist smashed against it as the guitar let out a banshee of a wail cutting the air around them. Rol's heels dug into the ground as the force of Bens bunch sent him sliding back. Rol's knees bent as he jumped off the ground grabbing the neck of the guitar firmly he moved it over his head as he reached the climax of his jump. Rol's hands flung the guitars body with extreme force towards the surface of the roof as he landed the guitar struck a large thwang cried out. “LIMIT BREAK!” Rol shouted with new found intensity. From the impact a giant tremor sped out onto the roof as the tiles in its path exploded and burst into a thousand pieces of clay like shrapnel as it raced towards Ben. With a quick launch Ben shot to the side floating barely off the ground. Where Ben had once been snapped and burst into a giant chaotic maelstrom of force. “Looky looky I got Hooky!” Rol cried out as he launched at Ben's side with a huge swing of his guitar. Ben taken off guard moved his gauntlet hand cover his face and forearm of his other hand as he turned and braced for the impact of the strike. With furious roar the Guitar smashed against the gauntlet flinging Ben slamming into the roof. His body sliding against the bursting tiles from his body pressing against it. Ben dug his elbows into the roof as it forced his body to come to a stop. “HAH!” Ben laughed as he wiped the bit of blood from his face with his massive thumb a bestial smile beset Ben's face. Rol took a slight bow towards Ben with a smile on his face. “This is the end Ben, one of us has to die!” “I couldn't agree more.” Ben sneered as he took to his feet rolling his shoulders forward he bent forward his hands tucked near his chest with his titan hands tucked into fists. The large veins bulging underneath his wet hand hair. Rol tapped the guitar against the surface once then twice as he spit the last bit of blood in his mouth from the hit before out onto the roof. “Only death awaits you, but do not fear. For it is through death that a new spirit energy is born. Soon, you will live again as a part of me.” Rol said in a slight evil tone. Ben gave him a puzzled look as his eyes squinted as he processed the confusing things Rol had just said. Rol stamped his foot “GAH forget it... Lets finish this.” Ben let out a little chuckle as this was not the first time one of Rol's many quotes was lost to him... but this time... it would be the last.


Rol regained his composure as he breathed out in a shaky wisp he knew what had to happen... this would be it. Ben and Rol both gazed at each others eyes. “Would we have been friends if things were different?” Rol asked as his legs bent ready to take off... “No...” Ben replied as his knees coiled down ready to spring. Rol gave off a little frown as a single streak of the last tear his body could muster splayed down the left side of his face. The two shot forward with an intense momentum sending the clay tiles below them exploding beneath their feet as they sped towards one another.


“BBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN!”


“RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL!”


Ben's fist lurched back and with a flaming intent fired forward. Rol's chin exteneded out towards Ben the last tear he had gently flapping on his jaw line as it slowly filled away...Ben's eyes shot open as Rol continued forward Ben's large hand bearing down upon him. Rol did not move or flinch as his blew eyes stared into Ben's. Never faltering... Rol slowly closed his eyes as a slight look of horror took over Ben's face as his eyes moved to his fist that was mere inches away from Rol's face.... slowly tracing down the instrument that would kill the young boy infront of him... a young boy who welcomed death...


A white flash took to the sky as it filtered Ben's vision blinding him in the light... and Rol was gone...


Ben slowly turned his gaze to the heavens above with a slight smile on his face. “We would have been brothers.”


Rol's eyes blinked open as they squinted from the vibrant bright light. “WHAT! WHATS HAPPENING!” Rol screamed as he could feel the g-force of the movement tearing at his clothes and flesh. Rol sped faster and faster as he winced from the force as his lips began to flap from the rush and pressure. “BREAKS BREAKS! WHERE ARE THE BREAKS!” He screamed as his head fought the force turning little by little side to side. His eyes locked forward at a wall of blackness that layed infront of him. “OH SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~!” Rol slammed his eyes shut as it got closer and closer. And suddenly he felt nothing... Rol's eyes slowly opened as they fluttered slightly... where..... am I? He looked down at his feet as this whole new area boggled his mind. At his feet lay a white rectangle reaching down his metal chain bracelet slid down to his wrist. His finger tips touched the corner and with a gentle pinch lifted it up with a reluctant turn he spun the paper to find the photo... of the 5.... his family.
 

Agent 9 Cervi Camp

​



The morning was quiet, not the quiet of death but the quiet of absent party goers, the quiet that comes in the aftermath of some storm, flood or cataclysmic natural disaster. That's what the Cervi were; some sort of party earthquake that shook all through the night and were silent during the day. With the absence of raucous debauchery and fun the blue leaved forest had become some sort of tranquil. The clarion songs of birds whistled through the air, the slight tapping of wood like the sound a mockingbear makes when burrowing into the bug infested boles of the Sandaste tree searching for nutritional morsels to sustain it's gargantuan body mass.


He wandered about the camp beneath the watchful eyes of those few Cervi who had taken some restraint during their celebrations. Their eyes were not unkind but they were suspicious, wearily their eyes followed him while they went about their morning tasks. They cooked, cleaned and banked their fires, Agent 9 was simply biding his time, waiting for the chief to awaken so he could leave post haste to Metal City. Unexpectedly one of the Cervi waved him over, his face was genial, and he seemed at ease, his body language said that he was not hostile so Agent 9 obliged the beckon and approached but not without due caution.


Welcome to my fire, I am Tassan. Come, eat. Agent 9 acquiesced and sat down on a carpet. He was presented with a wooden bowl and a spoon, he had watched closely as the Cervid spooned the dark bubbling broth of vegetable stew into the bowl and waited until his host had spooned his own serving and began to eat. Last night he observed that the Cervi had a propensity for imbibing alcohol and several opum-like drugs, they had been so casual with their use that he watched for signs of it in their cooking. Being high was not among the things he had planned for the day. After a few minutes Agent 9 decided the food was safe enough for him to taste.


After his un-drugged breakfast Agent 9 took his leave after thanking his kind host and continued to wander aimlessly about the camp making minute observations of the Cervi culture. He learned enough to tell that this race of deer people did not focus on things like war and death but instead on things like the moon, peace and celebration as evidenced by the countless powders, liquids and motifs scattered about the camp.


Then he came upon an argument, he stood to the side as the two men argued, one landed a punch and eventually stalked off when a third person interjected. He looked to the man who had stalked off and recognised him as the one who had asked as to the well being of a place called Urth. Agent 9 was curious to be sure, he wondered to himself what these people were doing and where they were going but by the looks of things it would be best if he simply left well enough alone. Instead he resolved to observe and blatantly took up a seat nearby on a carpet just opposite a fire, far enough not to be obtrusive but close enough that it was obvious what he was doing
 

~Shai-hulud, Cervi Camp~




​



The Aasimar stared at Todd in an uncomfortable silence after he spoke of who Irvine wanted him to find; Doctor Bubbles. The name itself was not what instilled fear, but the man who bore the name. Infamous throughout the continent for his scientific genius and expansive knowledge in the field of destructive magic and technology, Doctor Bubbles was known to be a traveling hermit, who experimented as he pleased with no outside influence. Not only was he dangerous in that regard, but rumors also spoke of his lack of sanity...which must be true, considering the sort of things the man had released to the public. Most recent was his published cure for 'crying'...by melting a patient's head with a sort of acid. A psychopath such as that, under Irvine's control, would surely be disastrous for all of Concordia.


Grimacing, he narrowed his eyes and shook his head. This man named Todd - his foolishness was unbelievable. "...You were a complete fool to have believed Irvine. There are only two ways for the dead to return to Concordia; to be resurrected by the Gods as a champion of their cause...or to be reanimated by Nurr-Dradus. Think about it, Todd. Consider his, and most of Life City's view of the undead. Do you really think he would have gone through with his side of the bargain? Did you truly think he had power that only the Gods themselves could control?!" Shai-hulud shook his head once more, this time with a deep sadness. He looked down at a pocket of his and delved his hand into it, pulling out a silver pocket watch. Opening the device, he looked at the picture on the back; a small portrait of him, his mother, and his father, smiling and together. His hand gripped the watch tightly, his skin turning white from the pressure. "Believe me...I should know. And even more so, when those loved ones of yours lie in a world other than this one...like the ones Irvine promised you."


Here it was; a crucial point in one of his visions. His revelation of his knowledge of Todd's, even Walter's, origins...his vision had revealed that they were not of this world, and that was exactly what would make them become the heroes Concordia needed in order to survive. Shai-hulud had thrown his dice...now he had to chance to see Todd's reaction; if he reacted as Shai-hulud predicted, there may be hope for Concordia yet. If he didn't...then all was certainly lost.





~Moonais, Death City~




​



Moonais steadily calmed herself, albeit with difficulty, while Bibentus attempted to soothe her, by telling her that what she and her brother had done was not sin, or evil, but necessary to bring about an end to this horrific war. He was speaking what he truly believed, and she could tell by the way he spoke, but that still did not ease the pain in her heart very much. Wiping the tears away from her face, she took in a deep breath, smiling a bit as he explained of his own gods' appreciation of her actions. That was easy for him to say; after all, that was his faith. Before and after every mission, every kill, that she and her brother had made, they took time to offer prayer to the Angels to forgive them for their acts of violence, and to protect the ones who they had slain in the afterlife. They were not cruel, nor heartless...it just appeared that way on the field because they had to protect their own consciences, otherwise they would feel pain...like which she felt now.


Looking over at the plate of food, she spoke with a weary tone; "...I fear this war is far from over, my Lord. The Grand Marshall still lives, and with Occulta removed from his seat of power...he no longer has a leash to restrain him. But enough of this talk, it brings nothing but coldness." Moonais fell quiet for a brief moment, before looking back at Bibentus, her amber eyes showing a bit more light in them than when she had first arrived...a spark that hinted at something; hope, perhaps? "Thank you, Lord Bibentus; your people are lucky to have a leader as kind and caring as you...I will join you this evening, if you'll have me, but I wish to rest...when I awake, I will do my best to enjoy your city." She hoped she was not coming off as rude to the man who had given her food, shelter, and comfort these last few hours; for some reason, she did not want him to dislike her...it was an odd feeling.





~Marquis, Water City~




​



Marquis perked an eyebrow at the strange newcomer in the mask, another guard if the uniform was anything to go off of. As the guard passed off his duties to this new guard, the creature walked away with more of his fellows and went out of earshot. The Seraphari man studied his escort silently, his azure eyes looking her over; there was certainly something off about the guard, if only he could just - the hands. They were not claws, or tentacles, or anything odd; they were humanoid, and even more so, they were the hands of a woman. This interested Marquis; supposedly, no land dwellers were allowed to be free in Water City, and most were placed in the lands. Clearing his throat, he began to speak. "...So, what questions to you have for-"





He was interrupted when a bright flash of light radiated from deep within the city, providing an illumination that was nearly blinding, even from this distance. The sound of thunder and shattering sound filled his ears as he covered his eyes with his arm to hide them for the violent shine. Marquis felt something...familiar...about this; a magical energy that seemed to come out from the light in waves over his body. He desperately sought out the familiarity within his memories...and when then he realized where he had felt this before. When he and his sister had tumbled into Concordia through an inter-dimensional portal, the energy was the same as that which he felt now. It couldn't be...was there some possibility that someone from Seraphar was coming here? His heart soared with excitement; the thought of seeing another of his race after so many years stirred him greatly.


When the light faded away until it winked out, he blinked repeatedly for his eyes to become accustomed to the regular lighting again. Turning to the disguised woman urgently, he spoke with a fierce determination. "Hey! Listen to me, can you lead me to the site of that light? It's important that I reach there; very important. I will answer any questions you have for me, but until then, do this for me. Understand?"
 

~Todd, With Shai-Hulud, Cervi Camp~




​



Todd listened to Shai-Hulud, albeit begrudgingly, as he explained in great detail as to why he was an idiot. It did not make Todd feel very good, no. He already knew he screwed up, he didn't need the "why" to be laid out for him in great detail. Walter punched him a few times in the face, but this? These words were like punches at his soul. Todd simply could not look this necromancer in the eye -- Not until he mentioned Todd and his friends being from another world, as well as implying that, perhaps, Shai-Hulud had that same short stick. He didn't quite know the deal with Shai-Hulud's pocket watch, but the tone in which he said those words implied that the other man knew how Todd felt from his own experience.


"... If you know, Goldilocks, then you should also know how desperate I was to get my friends back." Todd told Shai-Hulud quietly, sadly, "... So desperate that I was willing to... Ignore logic and reason. I lost everyone I ever cared about a little over half a year ago. Their deaths were awful, and I can still picture them vividly in my head. I guess Irvine somehow knew how desperate I was, and took advantage of that. That doesn't make me a fool, that whole 'falling for it' thing. That just means I loved my family and friends too much."


Todd sat himself down against the tree and looked up at the necromancer, a child-like sadness shimmering in his eyes.


"... Are you like me, Shai-Hulud? Did your parents die in another world?"


~ Bibentus With Moonais, Death City, The Tower ~




​



Moonais spoke of Irvine and his lack of leash. She let it be clear, that dark cloud on the horizon, and what it meant for the rest of them. It was something to talk to Walter and Todd about once they arrived in Death City. At this point, Bibentus knew how vital it was to set up a meeting with the rest of the cities's leaders, to arrange for some sort of alliance. Again, this was a job for Death's Shadow and The Bloody Bull. Hopefully they would be enough.


These thoughts were halted when Moonais accepted his offer. The vampire was able to forget about his worries, thanks to this answer, and allowed himself a happy smile. Of course, she needed her rest, which suited him just fine. Bibentus couldn't go out in that sweltering sun anyway, and the city was far more busy and teeming with un-life when the sun set.


"I will see you tonight, then." He replied to the woman, giving her a low bow, "Enjoy your breakfast." And then he left, shutting the door behind him. Bibentus walked up to his office, trying to hide a grin.
 
~Jean Latvia; Water City~





Jean's tension eased as the soldier's surprisingly fooled by her appearance sauntered off, allowing her to take the red-haired man to their council, of course this only brought on a mini panic, which she quickly snubbed, forcing herself to figure out a plan. There had to be someway to... her trail of thought completely dissipated. The man's original statement was cut off as light forced it's way through even the visor of her helmet, forcing her to close her eyes and shield herself as best she could as a thunderous sound resonated throughout the city. Then the panic definitely set in then, could that have been the lab? A signal sent throughout the city as a warning?


But as she rose back to her full height she could see the citizens and guards panicking as much as she was, she turned back to Red and cocked her head to the side as he asked her to take him to the source of the explosion? Her eyebrows furrowed at the immensely stupid idea, one that had gotten plenty of idiots killed in horror movies. But to get her questions answered she was going to have to go be that stupid idiot that ran into Krueger's arms, she glanced the initial focal point of the blast, it was somewhere near the direction of the lab she had just ran through, maybe in the common area?


"Alright got'cha Re- er, follow me sir, I'll lead you to your point of interest," she said, bowing awkwardly and shifting her trident into her right hand and sprinting in that direction, she peered over her shoulder, "Come on keep u- nggrrrrk, right this way sir," she called out, cringing at her impression of a man's voice and focusing on running, in a few minute's time she had brought them to where she believed the source of the blast was and paused, placing her hands on her thighs and gasping for breath. High school track had not prepared for these types of situations, and she was sure in due time she would be used to hauling ass through fish people, as sad as that seemed.
 

~Shai-hulud, Cervi Camp~




​



Shai-hulud shook his head when Todd asked his question, noting the sorrow hidden away deep within Todd, feeling it flow out from him in waves. "No...no, they died here, in Concordia. I am a native Concordian, despite what most will believe. My parents died because I was born..." His voice fell into silence at the end, resulting in him to take a deep breath to father himself and quell any emotions that would disturb him. Once he had himself composed, he began again. "When I was born, the people of Life City considered it a blessing; a child of divinity, and Aasimar, had been born from two mortal, human parents. It is said that such a birth brings great fortune to wherever they are found, but I have yet to see this 'fortune' I am supposed to bring."


"It did not take long for me to attract the notice of the Mayor, Nox Occulta...and of the necromancers. Out of a gesture of 'good will', they granted my family and I a home fit for a prince in the Cathedral, and carried us from the slums. At the time, it seemed as though it was all out of kindness. But...I suppose my parents were foolish to believe that. Almost immediately after arriving to their clutches, the necromancers began to show me their ways, to teach me their secrets; I learned their dark arts well, but I despised it. I sometimes fought with my teachers when they told me to bend the will of a captured undead creature...and this angered them. The necromancers wanted me to serve as the light that shined for Life City's precious humanity; to be their puppet and be danced for the amusement of the common folk. But I resisted, and angry at the lack of progress...Occulta ordered the execution of my parents in secret, with Irvine ensuring the deed was done."





His hand gripped the watch again, tightening around it as anger filled his heart and soul, almost burning him with hatred from the inside out. His violet eyes were narrowed and he glared at the picture in the watch, the device shaking in his palm. "...They lied to me, Todd. They told me a pair of Death City assassins had killed them in order to destroy me...but it was a lie to turn me. And it worked...it worked for the longest time, for years! How I tortured those they gave me to practice on, ripping their rotting flesh bit by bit, forcing them to burn themselves and commit horrifying acts of mutilation...I was in a dark place, one I did not escape until my finest friend and non-necromancer teacher, Karl, told me the secret on his deathbed. With his dying breath, he told me what Irvine and Occulta had done...and he passed. He is now serving with the soldiers of Death City, the last I knew; Nurr-Dradus must have deemed him worthy of a second life."


"In either case, when the truth became known to me, I spiraled into depression. Using my fury and despair, the necromancers had used me, had tried to model me into their tool...tricking me into harming those that were innocent when I thought them guilty. My sorrow did not fade until I found a new purpose in my life; to atone for my sins against the children of Nurr-Dradus, I vowed to fight back against Occulta, Irvine, and the necromancers in any way I could. And I have tried doing so ever since, orchestrating slave revolts, aiding in their escapes into the forests, and even putting a few of the unlucky ones out of their misery. I did whatever I could...but it is never enough. The last few years have been easier with Mathias at my side, but now that we are out of Life City, I must find another way...and that is to finish this war, by any means necessary. By the time this war is over...I will see Irvine's head on a spit, and the necromancers wiped from the face of this world. This I swear, to Kyria N'kri."





~Moonais, Death City~




​



Moonais waited for the vampire to disappear down the hall before shutting the door quietly, pressing her back against it and looking down at her feet, her smile now wiped clean from her face. Stepping over to the foot of the bed, she knelt down onto both of her knees and raised a hand to her hanging head, curling her thumb and index finger to be placed on both of her temples, and she prayed. She prayed to the Angels, asking for their forgiveness for her sins, asking for understanding of her violent ways. She forgave them for taking away her brother, knowing that their toll was a lenient one considering the many lives she herself had taken. She murmured the name of Enachiel to grant her brother safe passage to Paradise, and evoked the name of Tymial to purge her off her dark heart in the face of death. With her prayers finished, she uncurled her fingers and raised her head.


Her eyes rested on the food that Bibentus had left behind on her nightstand, plain but still a fine meal. Standing up and approaching the nightstand, she picked up an apple and raised it to her lips, taking a bite out of it and chewed, feeling it crunch between her teeth. Moonais swallowed the small morsel, but set the apple back down; it tasted like ash in her mouth...she could not bring herself to eat. Instead, she once again got into the bed and lied down underneath the covers, covering her head to hide her eyes from the morning light. When she shut them, she was surprised to see that no images of her brother's death met the blackness of her mind; no, instead this was replaced with the smile of that odd vampire, Bibentus. This puzzled her up until the point in which she slipped into unconsciousness and fell into slumber.





~Marquis, Water City~




​



Marquis managed to keep up with Jean as she dove through the panicked crowd of fishfolk, squeezing past the sea of frightened creatures and keeping himself light on his feet. She was fast; very fast, but he still kept up his pace with her, following her to the site of the light that had begun this anarchy. Together they ran past the dozens of oddly-shaped metal buildings, now empty of life due to the fear inspired by the bizarre magical anomaly.


When they arrived at the site of the anomaly, he scanned the perimeter carefully. There was no sign of any other guards, for it seemed they had fled too. There was a great mount of debris from whatever happened, and smoke rose from many different places all around them. His eyes caught a great cloud of smoke and dust at the center of the ruined marketplace, and he could see a physical form barely moving in the wreckage. Rushing forward but keeping his hand on Chaos' hilt, he approached the crater, catching sight of who it was as the smoke began to clear.
 

~ Todd, With Shai-Hulud, Cervi Camp ~




​



Todd listened to Shai-Hulud, and learned of what happened to him, what happened to his parents, and from this, gained a new understanding of the nature of Occulta, the necromancers and Irvine. They were cruel, all of them. To rip a boy away from his parents was an act of sheer heartlessness. Todd could understand Shai-Hulud's feelings. He knew that rage, that spite and hatred far too well. Such anger could only lead to an unnecessary amount of violence. He had to make sure that Shai-Hulud already knew that.


"Look..." He started out. Hoo-boy, how the hell was he going to just tell this guy to stop wanting his parents' murderers to die? He'd only look even more like an idiot than he did before. Still, he had to try to get through to Shai-Hulud. The man was still in that dark place he mentioned before, even if he may not know it.


"... I was right where you were only a little more than half a year ago. Well, not right here, in this forest, but I mean emotionally. I was hurting just as bad as you were, and because I didn't really have anyone to blame for what happened - save for myself, of course - I... Took it out on a lot of people who really didn't deserve it. I'm afraid that if you do off Irvine and his lot, you're going to lose a part of yourself. I'm telling you this because that's what happened to me, alright? Way back, I was just like Walt. Well, not just just like him -- I wasn't nuts or anything, and I wouldn't really kill anyone -- Okay, I'm digressing here. What I'm saying is, I was this innocent, happy-go-lucky guy, you know? And then, when I lost everything, I was angry. No, that's an understatement. I wasn't even myself. I killed someone, Shai-Hulud. It wasn't in self defense, and it wasn't a mercy kill. I killed someone out of pure hatred for them -- No, not just them! All life! And because I did that, I know I'll never be able to go back to that place. I'll never be who I was before. I'm on this path forever, and I am fully aware that I can never go back."


He stood up, sighing, and put a hand on Shai-Hulud's shoulder.


"Listen, you seem like a nice guy, Goldilocks. Walt must've banded this group together, and you're in it, so surely he sees something in you, right? That's fantastic. That's great. But look, I hope you don't go down the path I do. If you're going to kill Irvine, just... Don't do it out of hatred. Don't do this for revenge, do it because it's what's best for Concordia, alright? Because that's when you're gonna put your best foot forward. Don't... Kill that little girl because you're spiteful and bitter. Kill her because... Z-zombies, y'know?"


~


Walter searched around, looking for Niche. She wasn't around, still. He figured she'd be back from wherever she was, but she simply had not shown up. It was a shame, really, because he figured they had really been hitting it off. Was that not the case? Or did she not realize how important she was to the team? How were they suppose to neutralize Irvine if the one who had been so close to him for months was not even there?!


Walter sighed. If she had left on her own, then that was widely irresponsible. In fact, Walt had no doubt that she left on her own. She spoke of going after Irvine the previous night. It appeared that she didn't quite get how easily she'd be killed. They had to go back for her! They had to -- No, no, no. There was no way. They couldn't. Niche was as good as dead, and they had a country -- No, a planet to save. Then so be it. Let her die. She didn't believe they were good enough, she thought she was better. And yet, here, again, he thought they were connecting.


~ Bibentus, Death City, The Tower, Later At Dusk ~




​



Bibentus was sure to take off his cloak and freshened up before he knocked on Moonais's door. He certainly didn't want to look like he just fed (which he previously did). He had put on a simple white shirt and grey coat, as well as nice black pants. It was all clean and orderly. He wanted to look his finest while showing a living person around the city, right? His view of the living was not at its highest, but he admired Moonais for what she had done for their city, among other reasons he could not quite explain.


And so a knock on the door he did do, and, nervous, he straightened himself up one final time. The city was beautiful. The people were kind. He had nothing to worry about -- Worry? Why was he so worried suddenly? All he was doing was showing his guest around his own home. There was nothing to worry about here. Nothing to worry about at all -- Save for the war, of course.


Hopefully, this night would turn out smoothly.
 
Rol quickly tucked the picture into his pocket now was not the time to be filled with the heavy burden he bared. Rol flung his free hand as he tucked the picture away in front of his face swiping the smoke around him gone. Giving out a little cough he placed his hands on his hips as the low fog of dust began to settle. "Where am I?" Rol began to question his very existence as the area around him did not even look... human or anything on earth he has ever seen. "This is like straight out of a fantasy comic or something..." He chuckled. Beginning to take a set forward he could hear the loud clatter of those getting closer to him hopefully they would have some sort of idea on what is going on. He swept his hair back with his right hand as he ran it through his blue mane. "Roland... what have you gotten yourself into..." He muttered as the smoke cleared and he stood there with watchful eyes upon him. "Uhh... Hello Aliens I come in peace. I am from earth and where might you be from." Rol asked as his hand reached back to the guitar strapped to his back his hand firmly gripping the neck ready to retrieve it at a moments notice. "... why did I assume they are aliens... I could have just offended them. Madison told me to watch what I say..." Rol whispered to himself as he await their answer. Hey conscious wake up its time to work.
 
~Jean Latvia; Water City; with Rol and Marquis~





Jean covered her eyes, squinting at the debris as it pelted her and everyone nearby, she winced, seeing as her very clingy... wetsuit. She swallowed her thought's of indecency and irritation and instead took note that Red was reaching for a very swordy looking sword, one made for cutting things, not shiny aluminum foil for impressing other nerds at Comicon. Preparing herself to face the worse as the smoke cleared, gripping onto her stolen trident, she was surprised and a little bit amused when a man stepped out of the crater, speaking to citizens as if they were going to stop their terrified sprint away from the threat. In fact, even the guards had fleed the scene, of course she had no doubt they would return with some super laser, or something along those lines.





"Uhh... Hello Aliens I come in peace. I am from earth and where might you be from."


She glanced up at him, taking in his figure and the guitar strapped to his back, he was from Earth? There was another from Earth? She pulled the helmet off her head, pushing back her tangled mop of light brown hair so that her very human face was very apparent, she tossed it aside and shot a sheepish smile at the red-haired man.


"I'm sorry Red, I honestly did have questions for you, but I can't take you to the Council," she said shooting him a sheepishly apologetic grin, "And you, hey, I don't know where we are, or what the hell if going on but we need to get out of here, the guards are going to come back, and when they do it's not going to be pretty," she muttered.


----------


The guard growled, pissed that he had to transport the new patient, he was way to high in rank to be sorted to such menial tasks, of course the elderly fleshie wasn't making it any easier on him, thrashing violently despite his firm grip. The rapid movement from where he was going from distracted him, it distracted him long enough so that he was unable to shield his eyes from the loud crash and flash of light. Unable to react any other way he dropped the man, using both hands and pressing them to his skull trying to stop the furious pain, yelling loudly as he did so.
 

~Shai-hulud, Cervi Camp~




​



Shai-hulud eyed Todd from the side as he tried to tell him of his own path of hatred and revenge, of how it had been a mistake to follow it. The Aasimar said nothing for the longest time, his body as still as an oak as he listened. He knew what Todd was trying to do; to keep him from straying into the darkness that rage creates. It amused him, but that was all it did. Looking away and giving a weak smile, he pushed himself away from the tree he had been leaning on. When he spoke, it sounded resigned; defeated. Almost as if he had his will beaten out of him.


"...I know this, Todd. While my fury towards those who have wronged me is strong, it is not what guides my actions. Granted, knowing that each step I take harms them is satisfying...but it is not why I oppose them. A man learns how deep another's suffering is once he raises the whip and cracks it; it is just deciding on whether that feeling of empathy controls you or not. When Irvine and his pets are finally broken, it will not be at my hand...but I will see it when it happens. So long as they live, Todd, Concordia is not safe. For that matter..." The smile slipped from his expression, replaced with a coldness fit for a Drozhátan blizzard. "...the same goes for myself. Todd, the difference you and I have between us in this matter, is this; you, at least, had a choice on whether to descend into the darkness. Me? My descent in inevitable."





Shai-hulud then turned away from Todd, silently walking back toward the Cervi encampment. However, before he got even a few steps, he suddenly froze and his teeth became bared. He clutched at the center of his chest, his nails digging in through the fabric of his linen shirt while his vision faded in and out. The Aasimar tried to take another few steps, but his legs buckled and he fell to his knees. Shai-hulud's heart raced, and his breathing was fast and irregular; this was not something he was used to...he had never felt this way before. He opened his mouth to try to call out for help, but all that came out was a pained groan. At this point his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell over; he was out before his head even hit the ground.



  • Shai-hulud felt as though he were drifting in an endless void; unable to move, unable to breathe. He could see nothing, feel nothing, hear nothing. This darkness existed both within and without him, suffocating...pressing in on his being like a vice. The situation was enough to drive any man into a fit of panic, and yet why did he feel so calm? Where was he, exactly? In a desperate attempt, Shai-hulud tried to move his cold body, but he could not. Then he tried to think of a light; any kind of light so as to ward off this depressing void, but none came. What is this place? Am I dead? If so...where is Nurr-Dradus? Is he not supposed to arrive to carry a soul to the other side...or bring them back? Damn it all, where am I?! He screamed inside his head, unable to contain his emotions any longer. As his anger and fear grew, so did the darkness surrounding him, closing in further and further until...nothing. It had stopped.


    The Aasimar spotted something in the distance: a single white light that stood out against the black void. He stretched out his hand to reach for that one star, desperation fueling him as his hand crept closer to the light, inch by inch. When he touched it, a massive radiance grew from the light, spreading out and overwhelming the void and filling his vision with white. Shai-hulud closed his eyes to hide from the pain brought by the intense light, raising his arms to cover himself. For several moments he remained that way, until he was sure the light had faded. Lowering his arms and opening his eyes, he found himself on a field of what appeared to be water, the surface reflecting the cloudless blue sky above. He looked down to see his feet sitting perfectly flat on the water, and saw himself perfectly. Everything here seemed so pure, so simple. Raising his gaze from below, he looked about the strange place he was in, trying to piece together where he was.


    Besides himself, the sky, and the mirror-like water, there stood only one other thing; a great, golden statue of a feminine being that Shai-hulud knew all too well. It looked exactly like the statue in the Cathedral of Life City, down to the very last details on her scrolls and her flowing robe. Approaching it unsteadily, he collapsed to his knees only a foot from the statue and clasped his hands together to pray, bowing his head and closing his eyes.     O' Goddess...please, help thy child in his hour of need. I do not know where I am...nor how to leave. Please, Kryia N'kri...I need your guidance! Despite his pleas, no answers came to him; all he got was silence, a thing he had grown used to...but now, it seemed that his patience had worn thin. Standing up in a fit of anger, he glared up at the face of the statue and shouted at it, his voice breaking with fury and despair.





    "Why won't you answer me? Why do you always stay so quiet now, and forsake me?! After all of my efforts...all my faith in you...and you... Have you forgotten about Concordia? Life City? Me?! Damn you, Kryia N'kri! ANSWER ME!" His body shook in anger as a few stray tears poured down his face, and his hands reflexively gripped and released repeatedly. With one last cry of rage, he turned away from the statue and grimaced, wiping the tears from his cheeks with his sleeves. He may be a prophet, and he may be an Aasimar...but he was just a man. A man who, like any other, sought guidance from his source of faith in times of distress. Shai-hulud was prepared to simply walk away at that moment, but something stopped him.


    His eyes raised to the sky to find a great swirl of dark-gray clouds to be circling around him, drawing closer and closer to the center of the sky and transforming the mirror-like water below into a sea of storms. The scenery darkened, but there still hung a light that seemed unnatural...cold...that kept everything around him visible. His violet eyes scanned his surroundings warily, and out of reflex he created a spear of solid light in his right hand; it seemed his magic still worked here...that was a good sign. Shai-hulud paused, however, when he heard a delighted and harsh laugh echo around him, seeming to strike him from everywhere.


    "So...now I can finally meet you, Shai-hulud. Face to face. Tell me, do you like this place? I made it specifically for this occasion. I cannot tell you how filled with bliss I am!" Shai-hulud turned to the direction of the voice, his spear raised and ready. When his eyes caught sight of who spoke, he stopped himself and stared in horror at who stood before him. A man in robes as gray as ash, with skin as pale as snow and eyes as violet as his own. His hair was a glossy black, and his expression bore a warm smile. Once he obtained the strength to speak, he questioned this new figure with rasp voice. "...Who are you?" The man's smile grew and he looked away to stare at Kryia N'kri. "Who am I? I'm you, of course. The part of you which you have kept suppressed for years...the part that has finally gathered the strength to free himself."





    The words stunned Shai-hulud, for he now recognized this...part...of him. The one that was born on the day his family had died. The one born of hatred and despair. Now, he knew where his corruption would come from; he knew what he was going to become now. "No...you- I got rid of you! You were supposed to be gone! How did you-" He was interrupted by his shade's laughter; it sounded like that of a man whose mind had been twisted by years of suffering and had broken down into madness. Maybe he was. "Jiirki, my dear host. He brought me back from the grave of your heart, and has given me the tools for your transformation. You knew this was coming, Shai-hulud...but you thought you had months, years even, before you did. The truth is...you have very little time left."





    "I won't let you get away with-" "You do not have a choice. The consequences of not doing so are worse than allowing yourself to be consumed...and you know this." Shai-hulud narrowed his eyes, his hand gripping the shaft of his spear tightly. However, his grip finally slackened and he looked downward in defeat. The black-haired version of himself nodded in satisfaction, and he rested a pale palm against the statue of Kryia N'kri. As soon as his hand touched the gold, it began to turn into a fine red dust, eroding and rotting away like oxidized iron. This went on for a few moments until the statue was completely dissolved, at which point the darker man nodded again.


    Standing still, Shai-hulud did nothing as his dark half touched the center of his forehead with a thumb, hearing his murmurs intently.     "It is best that you do not fight this, Shai-hulud...so I will grant you time to say farewell to the others and to enjoy this last stretch of freedom. Sleep well, my old friend..." The Aasimar felt himself sink, his vision fading back into the darkness he had found himself in before, and as he slowly fell into unconsciousness, he hard one last thing from the other Shai-hulud;





    The next time we meet, I will be in control. Be grateful that I have given you this time, and use it well. Jiirki awaits his servant of madness...and he will not wait forever.








~Moonais, Death City, the Tower, Later that evening~




​



The Seraphari woman was sitting on a chair right in front of the vanity, brushing out her short bluish-black hair and straightening the strands of hair carefully. In the mirror she could see herself quite easily, and had to be honest that the dress picked out for her did fit rather well. A well-woven black silk gown that glittered with small crystal inlets that seemed to compare like stars against a night sky. It clung to her body slightly, but not so much as to make her figure extremely obvious, and its length extended down to her knees, framing her hips well. She wore a necklace that she had kept amongst her possessions; a silver-cast chain with a large sapphire teardrop on the center of her neckline. It was one of the few things she had left from Seraphar, and was gift to her from her mother...it was a precious piece to her.


Nodding once she was satisfied with her hair, she set the brush aside and looked down at a box that had been left outside her room earlier. It was silver hairpin in the shape of a crescent moon; it was a pretty piece of jewelry and seemed to fit the theme she was dressing to. Opening the box and eyeing the hairpin for a moment, she admired the handiwork and eventually placed it on the left side of her hairline, weaving it into her silky hair. Standing up, she observed herself in the vanity's mirror. Smiling in satisfaction, she started to turn away when she heard knock on the door. Hurrying over to the door in her dark heels - which were unbelievably tight and hurt like **** - she composed herself and opened the door.


Standing out in the hall was her escort for this evening; Lord Victor Bibentus, leader of Death City. Putting on a smile for the vampire, she let him see her full outfit and curtsied in respect to him. "...Good evening, my Lord. I thank you for this night in advance...perhaps it will help take my mind off things. Also, you have a very gracious staff here; they know their duties well." Rising from her curtsy, she emerged from room and closed the door behind her gently before wrapping her arms around Bibentus' left arm; a suitable gesture for a lady when being escorted by a Lord. With another smile, she glanced at him with subtle amusement. "Shall we begin our night, my Lord?"





(I'll post for Marquis later.)
 

Viab Ogic: Water City in the company of Rol, Marquis and Jean




​



His trip to Water City had been just as uncomfortable as he had predicted, he felt the stones from the shore sticking to his raw and red skin, the big blubber fish had been less than kind, it wasn't Viab's fault that the fishman's wife was cheating on him with some landlubber who thought she was ome type of sea goddess. Hell the woman was more of a sea demon than a goddess, unless she was the goddess of super ugliness, Viab had tried to tell the less than cordial guard that he was better off but the stupid oaf had decided that Viab was saying something offensive.


Fish are meant for the pan with a squeeze of Lemon juice!!!


What he actually said:


Your lips are fat and so is your cow woman!!


After the bright light had lit his vision, Viab found himself dropped unceremoniously to the floor, he groaned a little as the stones embedded themselves further. He got to his feet with some effort and looked at the guard that had dragged him over rocks, sand and through water, if he weren't some sort of immortal Viab might have died. As gift to his taxi Viab pushed the guard from his feet and cackled evilly before he turned around to see the wreckage and a few people standing around it. He approached the group and laughed at his accurate prediction.


The Rolling Sun has fallen!! My flimflams were auspicatious!!


What he meant


I knew he would come, my predictions were right!!


He jumped up and down ecstatically as he watched the newly arrived Rol and Jean converse lightly.
 
Alejandro scoffed at the elf man. Looking around the camp, he saw many a thing. Todd and Shai had talked, and now Shai looked, rather funny, dazed even. To him anyways. However, he didn't care about them right now. Walt was the leader of the group, so Alejandro decided it'd be better to get on the man's good side, and stay there.


So, being who he was, Alejandro walked over to Walt, and spoke. "Hola, ah, dormiste bien anoche, señor? Oh, um, en Concordian. Did you, sleep well?"


Senshi's eyes scanned the trees, then the camp. He had placed his cowl back on by now. He leaned against a tree. Senshi preferred being silent, as one can say too much with few words.


~~


The two women had arrived at the camp, and looked around.


"Watashi ga sō itte inai kagiri, jibun de, Maya o shira rete wa ikemasen." The elder of the two spoke, as she walked in the camp.


Maya, the younger, stayed hidden.


Naomi, the eldest, looked around. A Cervi camp. She'd seen them before. She knew this place held no danger, as she and Maya had been in Concordia for too many a year. Looking around, she spotted two very outlandish looking people. Her brothers. However, as she was still unseen, she decided to watch, and if someone, or thing, were to approach her, she would talk back to them, in a kind way. Or, she'd try to, anyways.
 

~Marquis, Water City~




​



When the smoke finally dispersed enough for Marquis to see who this figure was, his heart sank and disappointment radiated through him in waves. This man was not Seraphari...he was simply human; albeit a strangely dressed human who called them 'aliens'. Marquis did not know whether to break down and cry or unleash a ever-increasing flow of curses that would shame a Berythun sailor. Instead, he let out a sigh and bowed his head, crossing his arms and shaking his head. However, for some reason, this human seemed to release an oddly powerful aura...and that strange device he held echoed the same energy strength. Perhaps this fellow could be useful. When the girl revealed herself, all Marquis did was glance at her before his attention fell on an old man who appeared as though from the air itself and spitting out oddities. His troubles were growing by the second.


Marquis spoke loudly enough for them all to hear him clearly, his tone carrying authority and sincerity. "...Welcome to Concordia. My name is Marquis Silvarn, and I am your only hope of freedom and survival here. The folks of this place, Water City, will take you for experimentation of the worst kind if they find you...which I feel one of you already knows this. Even if you are with me, they may still attempt to take you...but you have no chance at all by yourself. This city is an underwater fortress...you cannot hope to escape alive unless you remain by my side. Besides...I could use some allies in a place such as this. Together, we are strong; divided...we will be picked off one by one. So, what do you all say? We should be quick; I doubt the guards will be very friendly if they find us here." He folded his arms behind his back, waiting for them to respond or if they decide to take the lead. "Oh...and we will have to stop by their Council before we leave; I have a mission to fulfill."
 

~ Todd, With Shai-Hulud, Cervi Camp ~




​



Todd scoffed at Shai-Hulud's entire, long-winded speech about his needed vengeance on Irvine and his gang, and his claim that he will inevitably fall to the darkness, or some bullshit like that. And really, that's what it was. Bullshit. Destiny? All that stuff wasn't real -- And that was proven to the believers back home when 2012 rolled around and the world didn't end. It was cute that the priest thought that that stuff was a real thing, and he was about to tell Shai-Hulud that when the guy buckled under his own weight and fell over, unconscious.


"Shit! Jesus -- !" He ran over to Shai-Hulud, smacking the guy lightly on the cheek a few times, "Hey, hey! If you're having a heart attack or something, there isn't any equipment out here to save you! Or if you're having a stroke! Please tell me you aren't having either of those -- Come on!"


~


Walter was greeted by one of the non-Concordian types, obnoxiously cheery, at least to a foul-moody Walter Hobbes. The man spoke his Spanish at him, which made Walter wish even more that he had been able to get a proper education back in London. Translating himself, he asked Walt how he slept.


"Well enough." He growled, "Why? What's this about?"


~ Bibentus With Moonais, The Tower, Death City ~




​



"I thank you on behalf of my servants in the tower," Bibentus replied to Moonais when she complimented them and the work they've done, "And I will thank you in return for the escort. It's not every day I am able to show a mortal around Death City. It will be an interesting experience for both of us, I'm sure --" And then she held onto his arm, and in that moment Bibentus swore he could almost feel his cold, dead cheeks lit up and red. Almost.


"Y-yes, let's begin." He stuttered after Moonais spoke again, and he led her out into the cool night air. With no natural light coming from the new moon, the city had to make its own, lighting street lamps and illuminating the city with a warm orange and yellow glow. The streets bustled with undead life. Ghosts flew overhead of the shambling zombies and ghouls, skeletons and vampires -- Especially so in the marketplace, which was the first stop of the evening. The shops held mysterious meats of the unmarked sort, souls and blood in jars, as well as various body parts from many different animals. There were more edible (to mortals) things, like fresh fruit and things for the citizens who still enjoyed the foods they ate when they were alive.


Along with this, there were various arts and crafted things up for sale. Carved wooden animals, gods (especially Nurr-Dradus), busts of famous Concordians, and even of the elusive Dark Elves. There were quilts and instruments, paintings upon paintings, jewelry, clothes, all these things crafted because, when you've got so much time to walk the world, most Death City citizens turned to the arts, wishing to create in a land bent on destroying them.


Many became quiet when Bibentus led Moonais through the marketplace, not knowing what to think of the Seraphari woman. Bibentus waved at the nervous ones reassuringly, though this did not help much. The noise in the marketplace was cut in half from their appearance.


"This marketplace was set up only fifty years after the founding of Death City." Bibentus told Moonais, "We grow our own fruit and vegetables. The soil is very good for the plants. We also have a separate fishing wharf south of the city, though that is beyond the wall. There, fish is caught and brought into the market -- All very fresh. My people do not need this food, though it is good to have mortal food as an option. After all, some miss it."


He smiled at the woman before giving her a bit of history.


"Did you know that it was us in Death City who first invented the silver coin as currency in Concordia? Silver was mainly being used at the time as weapons against werewolves, but there is much silver underneath Concordia, and inside its mountains. It was certainly better than trading for things, and I'm sure the werewolves are happy about the whole decision." He laughed a little at his own joke.
 
Rol blinked at the new people in front of him yet again... an overly effeminate male or a slightly masculine female. Red hair... uh oh... Rol was never to good at meshing with the fire crotches. Even though he had never had one before it was like a missing link to his palette. Red heads in Rol's mind were hard to find especially attractive ones. Every guy wants a red head though... Prolly because what he likes to call the Misty factor. A show called pokemon raised his generation following a scantily clad girl in a yellow cut off shirt and booty blue jeans with red hair... oh don't forget the overalls. Since watching that show it became part of their life for men to crave a red head...


Rol shook his head... he wasn't playing for the other team now. The red head would have to wait...


The words that the red headed man had said had finally fought back his thoughts about obtaining the red fruit.


"W-wait... what do you mean if they get they get their jar jar binks hands on me... they will experiment... I don't like alien thing creature rejects from 20,000 leagues under the sea touching my butthole! I don't like anyone touching my butthole but me! Even though the prostate gland is supposed too be the-...


Anyways I'm getting sidetracked... Is cute girl over there coming with you, because she seems pretty awesome." Rol gave a slight smile and a silly wave to the girl who dehelmeted. "Alright ill be right out."


Rol climbed out of the crater he made with a slight turn of his head he gazed down upon it. "Man... who did that... I sure would be pissed at the person who did that." Rol dusted himself off once more as his hands flapped against the fabric of his clothes. "So.... what are we up to now?" He smiled at the two with a a silly smirk with a light touch of a shoulder shrug.
 
~Jean Latvia; Water City~


Jean's eyes widened and a grin broke out on her face, Misty? Misty from Pokemon? He was from Earth and he was probably American! It wasn't Canada but hell, it was close enough! His musing had forced the smile on her face to stay, despite the fact that the growing chance of danger was increasing every second they stood here, near a crater, a crater in a very futuristic city, with a stranger, a stranger that had just caused this very big crater.


It dawned on her after a second that the man actually hadn't said that out loud... she had, heard him? Mentally? Subconsciously scratching at her shoulder blade tech she tried desperately to not think of anything at all, if their minds really had synced for a moment she didn't want thoughts of anything dirty reaching him. What if he could see all the way through? Oh God, don't think, don't think... shit.


She forced her mind to go blank after that, hoping no damage had been done before forcing her mind onto the situation at hand, going to the Council? That was probably the best course of action right now, but the excitement of meeting someone from the same... dimension as her was so... relieving.


"Welcome, Blue, yeah, I guess I'll be tagging along if Red doesn't have a problem with it... what did you say your name was? Mar-kwees? I think I'll stick with Red," she said, remembering the speech he had given the blue-haired man earlier, Water City? Underwater fortress? She had obviously picked the right person to latch onto, hopefully he would help her, Blue was right though, he was some type of gorgeous, like one of the pretty boys you'd see while playing an anime game. Suddenly her self-consciousness about the clingy suit returned, and she forced herself to get serious, she sure as hell wasn't going to let the Misty Factor get to her. The awkward middle school years of bi-curiousness had been enough for her... A pang of homesickness lurched through her stomach, she was going to have to go through a ton of shit before she was going to get there, wasn't she?


"Ah, my name is Jean Latvia, nice to meet you two, I have no idea where the council is, but I saw a more council-y looking building further north when I was escaping those stupid labs," she muttered, noticing an old man on the ground a little ways away, she glanced back at the other two, gesturing to the elderly man who had been babbling for quite some time while watching the two.


Further along she spotted a guard, who was ungracefully sprawled on the ground, rubbing his eyes vigorously and gritting his teeth, he wasn't going to be down there for long, and she had no doubt where he was going to go to when he did get up, she turned back to the others and gestured to the elderly man and then to the guard, "I smell an altercation, let's go find the council now, and the old man comes with, I'm not leaving another human being, or anything else to be tested on cruelly for personal gain," she said, prepared to furiously argue with anyone who opposed.


Of course she was in no position to argue, but that didn't mean she had to stop being a good person, she thought to herself.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Alejandro calmly listened to Walt, then responded. "Would it not be correct to be on the good side of you? You seem to be the leader of this group, would it be incorrect to wish to have your trust?"


He sighed, looking down, his eyes looking at the brush. "This is truly a strange land, mi amigo, the dead walk the land, here. It intrigues me. However, as an outsider, I see from both sides. The dead are from those of the City of Life, and I see when one of them dies, it only gives the Dead City more allies, more fighters and people. I see no simple solution, both sides are stubborn. No one in the City of Life have seen me, they wouldn't know me. Or my hermano. We could slip in there, retrieve information. That, however requires levels of trust higher than what I am sure you do not have of me, or my brother. I simply see that I can be of use to you, and if you see otherwise, I guess I could always find my sisters and leave. . Wait. . Naomi?"


Alejandro had spotted someone in the camp who wasn't there before, walking to her, he looked her over.


"Naomi! It is y-Oof!" Before he was finished, he was struck in the face, hard enough to knock him down, causing a scene.


"Alejandro! ¿Por qué diablos haces aquí? Hay una guerra en curso y Maya y yo hemos estado tratando de mantenerse bajo! Cuando te veo correrías con la gente en la guerra! ¿Estás tratando de hacer que te maten?" The woman, Naomi, ha dyelled at him, loud enough for everyone In the camp to hear.


"Ouch, sis, I was trying to find you, and. . . Anata ga migi, watashi wa ie ni, hogo sa reta haha no shukuhaku shite iru hitsuyō ga arimasu sa rete imasu," He spoke, looking down.


Naomi then looked around the camp, in perfect, accentless Concordian, she spoke. "I am sorry for interrupting your festivities. Please allow me to take my estúpido hermano tonto and leave."


(I am not translating any of that. . . )
 
Viab Ogic, Water City: Marquis group.


No more Translation.


Viab watched as the group conversed, their words meant little to him, what were words to a man out of his time? They were nothing and useless but nonetheless people seemed to rely on them. What truly told the truth were people's faces, even stoic Ademre of old could be read by the subtle changes in their faces. He looked upon them forlornly, he missed words; words that could express a range of feeling and ideas but all that came from his mouth were things he heard in his visions, visions of a man clad in black, visions of a werewolf with the world sitting upon his shoulders, of a man with the shadow of death at his back and another with the wild eyes of Jiirki lurking behind his own worried eyes.


Jiirki. The rabid god of madness and chaos. There were two shreds of sanity left to Viab and they were the source of his madness; the first was an immense sadness, a mourning for his people, ravaged in a fire more years ago than he cared to remember and his unending hatred for the wicked god Jiirki.


Mierz th’orun be’nuur tav’arla bortu.


He said to himself while rubbing his hairless head. He smiled for a moment. They were saying things about him now, that much was obvious.


Sativan vi'ti


He smiled at the trio, uncomprehendingly. He laughed full bodied and healthy it was a great contrast to his frail body and his old age. He nodded happily and moved closer to the girl.


My flimflams are migrating deary, they're migrating.


Agent 9, Cervid Camp: Walt-Todd Group.


A means to his end.


Agent 9 had observed the group well enough, from what he could gather; Both Todd and Walt were the arrowhead of the group though they both looked to be in conflict. The female who appeared to be of Vatalsan lineage, the man named Shai Hulud looked to be ill and somewhat disconcerted but that didn't seem pertinent to his surveillance. The small things he observed of the different people in the Cervii village made little sense, the only commonality was the semi familiarity they all had with each other.


His next problem was how to approach them, he was sure they could help him in his pursuit for Dr.Melles but there would be a catch, he was not naive enough to believe these people would help him without asking for a favor in turn. A trade then, but how to broach the subject tactfully?


After moments of intense thought it was obvious he could not approach the situation as subtly as he'd like so the next best conclusion was be blunt and to the point. These people seemed like they had been in this place longer than he. He stood and straightened himself up, he nodded a thanks to his otherwise quiet host and made his way to Walt; the man he'd met earlier.


You are Walt, yes? I am Agent 9, I am traveling to Metal City. If you are too I would like to travel there with you, better to travel in a group through such a strange place as this, inhabited by all manner of puppies.


Agent 9 extended a hand of greeting to the man, it was odd at the very least but there was no other way, true he could have approached another member of the group and take the time to familiarise with them, thereby earning a modicum of trust but that would take too long. He could have gone to the chief and demand to be given a guide right then and there but that would most likely burn bridges that could prove useful at a later date.


While he waited he cast a curious glance over the group and began to truly observe them, if he was fortunate and this 'Walt' acquiesced to his request then he would make sure he could use each and everyone of them to his advantage if necessary. Dr. Melles would be in custody soon enough.


 
Caylx was not sure where she had woken up this morning, or if you could even call it morning anymore. The celebration had lasted long into the night, like it always did, and she could not remember much from it. It was a usual story for Caylx, as she thought her recovery rate worked a lot faster than it did, so she kept drinking. So when she had woken up in a strange moss pit, she did not blink twice, righting her clothing before walking off the awkward sleep.


The second idea behind her travel was to find the companions she had brought here last night. The agent had wanted to go to Metal City and despite her uneasiness, she would take him there; it was better that then the man be killed by the unforeseen dangers. As for the others, she would also lend them a hand to where they needed to go… that is if she could find them first.


A slight trot behind her, Harold bleated, suddenly running under her hand and nudging his nose against her fingers. She lifted her hand slightly and watched as he rubbed his face against it… he seemed to be in a good mood. “Harry” he blinked up at her, “Can you go find the nice people from yesterday?” she asked the pygmy goat. A nod as he carefully move away before sniffing at the ground in a few places, then finally picking a direction with a bleat.


A slight smile touched her face as she followed, wondering if Sasha would be there with them… she could not remember what had happened to her friend. There was no way that Caylx could journey without her; it would crush the girl’s spirits. When Harold bleated and stampeded forward, she realized he had found them and followed through the foliage.


Harold had bumped into Walter, much like he had last night, bleating and prancing around him before stopping and looking at Caylx. The Cervid looked around in response before pointing at some Naples, a fuzzy orange leafy plant. It didn’t look as if the whole group was here, but last night she had spoken mostly to the Death’s shadow before the celebration.


“Ah!” she realized she had not gotten his name and covers, “Friends!” she greets, approaching them before saying, “Have a good rest?” Then she gets to the point of the matter, “Now that the celebration is over I will be happy to guide anyone to where they need to go” she notes, looking at the Agent specifically.
 
Sasha had a long sleep, it felt like an eternity. a small murmur slipped past her lips as green eyes fluttered open. she stirred slightly and found herself toppling over in the grass. as she sat up, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, seeing that she must have barely been leaning on the tree under which she dozed off the night before. in her alcohol induced slumber she had likely shifted a few times till she was nearly at the point of falling over into a more flat position. her early morning stirring was what had finally made her greet the ground in and unorthodox manner. she got up slowly, using the tree as support, all the while looking around at the other Cervid and the guests from the previous evening.


she brushed some leaves away as she wandered amongst both native and guest in the Cervi camp. there was a lot of talking going on amongst the guests, and despite her usually outgoing nature she felt no urge to join the conversations. perhaps it was because she felt unwelcome amongst them. they seemed to have a strange sense of connection amongst them, not necessarily trust, but perhaps purpose. they all had somewhere they were going, something they had to do and making a travel group was a slightly safer, somewhat strategic way of accomplishing what they had set out to do. Sasha, on the other hand, already belonged to a large tribe of Cervid people, she had no where she need to be and nothing she needed to do aside from celebrate the moon. perhaps that was why she had such yearning to branch out and explore. she wanted to learn and grow, and find some sort of purpose.


She came upon Calyx, and heard her mention guiding the group to where they need to go and remembered her own offer to assist as well. she walked up to the group and stood next to her fellow Cervi. she waved at teh group with her usual bright smile, "good morning everyone!"
 
Last edited by a moderator:

~Marquis, Water City~




​



Marquis listened silently as the woman, Jean, as she explained herself to the mysterious blue-haired human. She seemed to sum up the situation pretty clearly, despite her bizarre way of speaking...although, it was not as strange as 'Blue's' speech. Shaking off the oddities of which they spoke, the Seraphari glanced over at the stirring guard in the distance, a cold light appearing in his azure-tinted eyes. "...The name is Marquis. In either case, you're correct, Jean. Bring the old man, and continue in the direction of those circular spires; I assume those are the Council buildings. I will tie together a few loose ends, and catch up." With that said, Marquis stepped away from the two humans and the elderly dark-skinned elf-creature, and approached the groaning guard. In one smooth, elegant motion, he pulled Chaos from its sheath and bared the blade, its enchanted edge catching the gleam of the city lights and giving it a sparkly sheen. For some reason, he could feel something radiating from his sword...some unknown emotion he had never felt come from it before. It seemed to have grown a life of its own.


Stopping right above the Water City guardsman, he lowered Chaos' point to the creature's throat, earning a surprised blink and a gurgle of fear from the poor being. "Wh-what are you doing, L-Land dweller?! Is this an atta-" The guardsman was unable to finish his sentence before Chaos penetrated through its throat, severing the vocal cords and reducing the speech into pained, desperate gasps for air. The blade had slid in so smoothly...and came out so cleanly. A soft violet glow glimmered on the edge, trailing up to the cloth-bound hilt and eventually fading into Marquis' hand. When the energy touched Marquis, he felt a sudden thrill; a rise in excitement that caused his senses to heighten and his heart to race. It was intoxicating...and breathtaking. Marquis had learned to enjoy several pleasures in this life; pleasures of drink, of cuisine, and of the flesh...but never had he felt like this. Letting out a shaky breath, he looked down at the guardsman as the last light fled from its eyes. At that instant, something inside Marquis died, but he would never be able to tell, much less remember, what that was.


Realizing that it had not taken as long as he had thought it would, he returned to the party and hid his eyes from theirs by using the length of his crimson hair to his advantage. Marquis did not want them to see the hunger he had for more of...whatever he had obtained from slaying that pathetic creature. The arm which had absorbed the essence began to throb, aching for more, but he suppressed it. Sliding Chaos back into its scabbard, he walked past them and advanced forward. "...He will not be able to tell what happened here. It will give us time to reach the Council and escape with our lives before they realize it. Now, let's go, before we need to dispatch of any more witnesses..." His footsteps echoed lightly as he proceeded away from them and in the direction of where he assumed the Council would be.





~Moonais, Death City~




​



Moonais noted the slight stumble in Bibentus' speech with a slight smile as he led her out into the specter-filled night of Death City. In silence she strolled alongside her escort as they explored the city, trying to suppress her natural fear of the numerous undead surrounding her. In the marketplace, she could see countless numbers of the creatures; shades and banshees, ghouls and skeletons, they were everywhere. While her outside appearances remained calm and in control, she thrashed about inside her consciousness. Even though Bibentus was one of these...people...she kept a slightly tighter hold on him; at least he had displayed enough kindness to be trusted to a degree. But all of these other specters of undeath, they were strangers, and probably would decide to try to feed on her if she were not in their Lord's presence.


Now, granted, this was just her terror talking; more likely than not, these beings would be more curious as to how she managed to get into the city in the first place. However, she still could not help herself; the way she was raised, it was considered blasphemous, even evil, to raise the dead from their slumber. It was an act condemned by the Angels. Even though the Concordian undead were in a different situation, and she knew it was a 'gift' from their deity, she could not shake her fear of them. So, as a way to distract herself from the creatures, she focused her mind entirely on Bibentus, barely even paying attention to any of the nearby stands (although, she certainly made it look like she was). Moonais nodded when it seemed appropriate, and even made a small response or inquiry, but never did she get too fully involved.





When the marketplace's noise dwindled to nearly half its original level, Moonais finally began to feel the staring eyes of the creatures around her, and she could not help but let loose an inward shudder. To her, all those eyes seemed to be sizing her up...drawing and quartering her body for nourishment. In order to keep away from the thoughts, she listened even more intently to Bibentus. When he cracked his joke about werewolves and silver, Moonais released a weak laugh, albeit one noticeably shaken. "I-I see. But it must be a pain for werewolves to use, though...I'm sure that silver must be burning through their pockets." She even tried to make her own joke of the matter, but she knew it was not that good anyway. Oh well, best try to do whatever she can to forget the seemingly-hungry eyes of the nearby inhabitants.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top